Quick answer: For most of history, people managed their periods with whatever was at hand, such as cloth and plant materials, while beliefs about menstruation swung between reverence and stigma. Commercial pads appeared in the late 1800s, modern tampons in the 1930s, and leakproof period underwear became widely available in the 2010s.
Menstruation is as natural as breathing, yet how we talk about it, and the products we use, has changed enormously over time. Knowing that history helps us see how far we've come and what still needs to change.
Ancient times: reverence and remedies
Many ancient cultures connected menstruation with the moon, fertility and the cycles of nature. Historians believe people used whatever soft, absorbent materials were available, such as cloth, wool, plant fibers and moss. Ancient Greek medical writings describe rolled lint used internally, and other ancient sources mention softened plant materials.
Ancient Rome to the Middle Ages: the rise of stigma
Over time, stigma grew. In the first century, the Roman writer Pliny the Elder claimed that menstrual blood could sour wine, wither crops and dull mirrors, and versions of these myths lasted for centuries. In medieval Europe, religious teachings often framed menstruation as impure. Most people relied on reusable cloth rags, which is where the phrase “on the rag” comes from.
The 1800s and early 1900s: the first commercial products
Late 1800s: Sanitary belts, which held pads in place, were introduced.
1896: Johnson & Johnson sold Lister's Towels, one of the first commercial disposable pads.
After World War I: Nurses had used absorbent cellulose bandages as pads during the war. That material became Kotex, launched in 1920.
1930s: The modern applicator tampon was patented, and Tampax went on sale.
The 20th century: breaking the silence
Through the 1900s, advocates and educators pushed for better menstrual education and better products. Adhesive pads replaced belts, and menstrual cups were patented, though they only became popular much later.
Today: a new era of period care
More people are now asking what their period products are made of and how they affect their bodies. Reusable options like menstrual cups and period underwear have grown quickly.
At Lunam, we believe what touches your body every month should be held to a higher standard. Our period underwear is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, then independently lab-tested in the US. It's free-flow, so nothing goes inside your body, and it's made to wash and wear again, cycle after cycle.
We also create cycle aromatherapy inspired by the four phases of the menstrual cycle, to make room for small rituals that help you reconnect with your body.
Frequently asked questions
What did women use for periods in ancient times?
Mostly whatever soft, absorbent materials were available, such as cloth, wool, plant fibers and moss.
When were disposable pads invented?
One of the first commercial disposable pads, Lister's Towels, went on sale in 1896. Kotex followed in 1920.
When did period underwear become popular?
Absorbent underwear existed earlier, but modern leakproof period underwear became widely available in the 2010s.
